Colorado’s Taste of Ethiopia will be more flavorful — both in food and culture — than its previous three celebrations.
The fourth annual festival is set for 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Parkfield Lake, 15555 East 53rd Ave. in Denver.
Besides an array of food, including more gluten-free and vegan options this year, the festival is expected to feature 17 professional Ethiopian folk music performers who will travel to Denver. They will play only traditional Ethiopian instruments.
During the festival, 15 Ethiopian immigrants will become U.S. citizens in a 2 p.m. naturalization ceremony.
At 4 p.m. Sunday, the festival will host the Ethiopian play “The Emperor Tewodros II” in Amharic at Hinkley High School in Aurora.
“The Denver metro area is becoming one of the most diverse places in the United States, and Denver is growing to become an international city,” said Capt. Tewolde Keresemo, a Denver resident of Ethiopian descent who serves in the U.S. Air Force. “The Ethiopian community is playing a key role in the unprecedented renewal of Denver metro as entrepreneurs, consumers, taxpayers, public servants and patriotic neighbors who play by the rules.
“The Taste of Ethiopia showcases the contributions of Ethiopians and the assimilation of our culture to mainstream America. Taste of Ethiopia contributes to the cultural vitality and ingenuity of Denver, as the city transforms into a major international hub that is prosperous, connected and a successful place to live for all.”
On July 25, the festival was recognized in the Congressional Record by U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman of Aurora.